SAILING RACES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 9 April 1945, Page 2

SAILING RACES

AURORA CLUB’S EVENTS GOOD CONDITIONS AT WEEK-END Last week-end saw many sails on the harbour for the Aurora Sailing Club’s races on both Saturday and Sunday. Although the weather was overcast, a sea breeze on Saturday and a strong squally south-easter on Sunday made excellent sailing conditions. Many people watched the events from the clubhouse and the waterfront. SAILING DINGHIES Sailing dinghies had a race for entrance fees. The event was won by Damp Ann (E. Norton), with Iris (J. Glasgow), second. Dolphin (M. Grossi) was disqualified. TAURANGAS There were not enough entries for the third race for a new sail, by the Taurangas, and so an unofficial race was held. It was won by M.C. (W. Nalder). On Sunday afternoon three races of a series of five, were held for the Robertson Cup. A stipulation for this trophy is that skippers must draw for boats in each race, and one boat cannot be sailed twice by the same boy. The first race brought six starters, one of which withdrew. The squally conditions caused many near-capsizes and exciting moments. M.C. (W. Nalder) was first. Cygnet (M. Amos) capsized during the race but carried on to come second. Topa (M. Amos) won the second race, with Cygnet* (W. Nalder) second. In the third race Kia Ora (M. Amos) crossed the finishing line first, with Topa (W. Nalder), second. Firefly (I. Patcfrson) capsized, and had to be towed home. TAKAPUNA SHIELD TO HUIA There were three entries for the third and last race of a series for the Takapuna Shield, and Huia (W. J. Glasgow) made a good start followed by Swallow (J. Lorimer) and Mamuka (G. Smart). During the third lap Mamuka*established a short lead, but Huia sailed through her weather and won by two or three minutes. After the races the shield was presented to Mr J. Glasgow, owner of Huia, by the Commodore of the Club, Mr J. Harris. Mr Glasgow made two first places and a second. CORSAIR WINS PEARL KASPER SHIELD Eight boats crossed the line for the third and last race of a series for the Pearl Kasper Shield. The sea breeze and incoming tide helped every entrant and the scratch boats were unable to catch those with larger handicaps. Leander (J. W. Shallcrass), a 16-footer, was first, with Diane (R. Lancaster) second. The Silver Fern class boat Tern (H. Williams), was third. After the afternoon’s races, Captain Tregidga, the donor of the Pearl Kasper Shield, presented the trophy to A. W. Trinder, skipper of the Idle Along Corsair. Corsair gained a first, third and sixth place in the series. IDLE ALONG CUP On Sunday afternoon the third and last race was sailed for the Idle Along Cup. A most unusual course was decided upon, so that the best of the south-east wind could be caught. The course was a lead from the Old Magazine on the Boulder Bank, west of the launches moored near the lighthouse, then a close-hauled stretch to the top racing buoy, followed'by a tricky broad reach down to the starting line. There were three laps. Vicuna (J. Harris) established a good lead and was followed by Tainui (E. Day), Corsair (A. Trinder), Rascal (A. Patterson), Marita (P. Milne) and Calamity Jane (Yard). Tainui had trouble with hfer spinnaker just round the top buoy, and Vicuna and Corsair went well to the front. On the second broad reach Rascal’s spinnaker skied and the Patterson brothers were climbing over on to the bottom of their boat before she decided to come down to an even keel instead of going the extra inch or so into a capsize. Each run down provided spectacular planing and Vicuna and Corsai* both charged down the harbour, gaining minutes on the others whose spinnakers gave trouble. Marita lost her forward hand by the lighthouse in the third lap and lost valuable minutes in retrieving him from the sea. Vicuna held her lead throughout the race and crossed the line two minutes in front of Corsair, with Tainui completing the course seven minutes later. Tainui won the cup with two firsts and a third place. It was unfortunate that Corsair was disqualified in the first race, for her first and two second places would have won the trophy. E. Day’s win, however, was very popular, for he had sailed Tainui consistently well throughout the season.